The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy – Here’s an easy recipe for how to make classic (gluten free!) brown gravy that’s great to enjoy with potatoes, noodles, sandwiches, or nearly any side dish!

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (1)

Why We Love This Gravy Recipe

If you are having a true down-home comfort food dinner there has to be a bowl of gravy on the table. It’s the best friend of nearly any carb, from fluffy potatoes to tender noodles, and all the good stuff (like stuffing!) in between. A great gravy adds delicious flavor and that *something extra* that every meal needs.

This is a super simple Homemade Brown Beef Gravy recipe that will give you all the cozy and yummy feels. It is made with only a handful of pantry staples, like cornstarch, and is a gluten-free gravy that’s smooth and luscious. We also add a splash of cooking sherry for a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and rich flavor. I promise you’ll never buy processed gravy packets again after getting a taste of this.

The brown gravy is easy to cook in one pot in less than 10 minutes. Stir up a batch and ladle it over beef recipes with your favorite side dishes, or use it as a dip for sandwiches. Whatever floats your (gravy) boat!

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (2)

Ingredients You Need

  • Butter – unsalted
  • Cornstarch – for a gluten-free beef gravy recipe
  • Worcestershire sauce – for that deep beefy, savory flavor
  • Cooking sherry – optional, but highly recommended
  • Spices – onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
  • Beef stock – store-bought or try our Homemade Beef Consommé
The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (3)

How to Make Beef Gravy from Scratch

Set a large sauté pan over medium heat.Add the butter, cornstarch, onion powder, and garlic powder.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (4)

Then add Worcestershire sauce and sherry.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (5)

Whisk in the beef broth as the butter melts.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (6)

Continue to whisk as the gravy thickens into your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.

Get the Complete (Printable) Beef Brown Gravy Recipe Below. Enjoy!

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (7)

Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (8)

Serving Suggestions

This easy brown gravy recipe is great to make as an accompaniment to all kinds of side dishes and sandwiches. Here are a few ideas of what to serve beef gravy with:

  • Best Mashed Potatoes
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Baked Potatoes
  • Stuffing in a Bundt Pan
  • Meatballs and egg noodles
  • Steak
  • Beef Sandwiches
  • Chopped Steak
The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (9)

Recipe Variations and Tips

  • Want extra dark brown gravy? Add 1 teaspoon of beef base to this recipe.
  • Make this a dairy free beef gravy recipe by swapping butter with a plant-based alternative.
  • To avoid clumping we suggest starting with cold stock from the fridge. Another great way to prevent clumping is to add the cornstarch to the beef broth and whisk well before pouring it into the pan!
  • Don’t stop whisking! The key to a perfectly smooth beef gravy is to let it slowly heat up while you whisk constantly. This blends in the cornstarch and butter without any “breaking” (AKA butter separating).
The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (10)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beef gravy the same as brown gravy?

Yes, the names are interchangeable. Both are made with beef, and both are brown. :)

Is country gravy the same as brown gravy?

No, these are not the same. Beef gravy recipes include stock and cornstarch for a thinner consistency. Country gravy is made with flour and milk and is often a white color – which is why it’s also known as white gravy.

How long do leftovers last?

Homemade gravy will keep well for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a container with a lid and placing it in the refrigerator.

What is the best way to reheat homemade beef gravy?

Microwave the gravy in short 20-second bursts at 50% power. Stir between each burst, and serve once warmed throughout.

Reheat on the stovetop in a small sauce pot over low heat, stirring frequently.

Add a splash of water or stock to the gravy if it seems a bit thick when reheating.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (11)

Looking for More of the Best Retro Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

  • Apple Cider Turkey Gravy
  • Espagnole Sauce (Demi Glace Recipe)
  • How to Make Marinara Sauce
  • Homemade Creamy Pesto
  • How to Make Vegetable Stock

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (12)

Print RecipeLeave a Review »

Easy Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy)

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes minutes

Here's an easy recipe for how to make classic (gluten free) beef brown gravy that's great to enjoy with potatoes, noodles, sandwiches, or nearly any side dish!

Servings: 8 servings (2 cups total)

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Set a large sauté pan over medium heat.

  • Add the butter, cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, optional sherry, onion powder, garlic powder, and beef stock. Whisk the cornstarch into the beef broth as the butter melts.

  • Continue to whisk as the gravy thickens into your desired consistency, approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

Want extra dark brown gravy? Add 1 teaspoon of beef base to this recipe.

Homemade gravy will keep well for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge. Let it cool completely before transferring it to a container with a lid and placing it in the refrigerator.

To reheat: Microwave the gravy in short 20-second bursts at 50% power. Stir between each burst, and serve once warmed throughout. Reheat on the stovetop in a small sauce pot over low heat, stirring frequently.

Add a splash of water or stock to the gravy if it seems a bit thick when reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25c, Calories: 88kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 325mg, Potassium: 265mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 177IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1mg

Course: Condiment, Main, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

The Best Homemade Beef Gravy Recipe (How to Make Brown Gravy) (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my gravy more brown? ›

To make dark brown beef gravy, cook the roux even longer (but at a lower temperature) until it's a dark color with a nutty aroma. Then use beef broth or beef juices to make your gravy.

Is beef gravy the same as brown gravy? ›

What is the difference between brown gravy and beef gravy? A brown gravy comes from any brown stock, whereas beef gravy always comes from beef stock specifically. In other words, all beef gravy is a brown gravy but not all brown gravy is beef gravy.

What is brown gravy mix made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: CORNSTARCH, WHEAT FLOUR, DEXTROSE, HYDROLYZED CORN, SOY, WHEAT PROTEIN WITH SUNFLOWER OIL, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT (YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, SALT, MALTODEXTRIN ), NONFAT DRY MILK, CANOLA OIL, ONION, SILICON DIOXIDE (TO PREVENT CAKING), GARLIC, BEEF FAT WITH TOCOPHEROL , CARAMEL COLOR, EXTRACTIVES OF ...

How do you make brown gravy taste better? ›

What can you add to Brown Gravy to Make it Taste Better? We add a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce to give this gravy great flavor. Another addition we love is Bouillon paste, powder works too!

What makes brown gravy thicker? ›

If your gravy is on the skimpy side, you can thicken it quickly with flour or cornstarch. But don't add your thickener directly to the gravy, which will create lumps. Instead, try stirring in three or four tablespoons of flour or cornstarch into a small amount of cold water until you have a smooth paste.

Can you make gravy with just flour and water? ›

(You can also start with a slurry of flour and water—equal amounts flour and cold water whisked together—if you want.) Whisk the gravy while slowly adding liquid: Slowly add stock, water, milk, cream, or a combination to the pan, whisking vigorously to dissolve the flour into liquid.

What is the gravy at KFC made of? ›

What is the gravy at KFC made of? The restaurant uses a simple combination of gravy powder, water, and – their secret ingredient – chicken crackling. This is a collection of the browned bits and pieces leftover from frying their world famous chicken.

What can I use if I don't have brown gravy mix? ›

DIY Brown Gravy Packet Mix 2 Tablespoons equals one packet Ingredients 3 tablespoons beef (or chicken bouillon) granules 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS to make Gravy (for each batch): 4-1/2 teaspoons butter 3/4 cup cold water Directions In a small bowl, ...

What is traditional gravy made of? ›

At the most basic level, gravy is a simple pan sauce that requires liquid and a thickener. Traditional turkey gravy usually has fat, flour, and stock. You can make excellent turkey gravy with just those ingredients, plus salt and pepper for seasoning.

What is American brown gravy? ›

Brown gravy is the name for a gravy made from the drippings from roasted meat or fowl. The drippings are cooked on the stovetop at high heat with onions or other vegetables, and then thickened with a thin mixture of water and either wheat flour or cornstarch.

Is gravy better with flour or cornstarch? ›

Making a roux with flour and butter “boosts flavor and gives the gravy a silky texture and rich flavor,” she says. Flour also gives the gravy a traditional opaque look, she adds, whereas cornstarch will make the gravy shiny and clear.

How do you make gravy taste richer? ›

Add in some white wine.

Add a dash of white wine (nothing too fruity; we recommend a dry Chardonnay) to boost the richness of the turkey gravy. All you need to do is put a couple of tablespoons of your chosen white wine while you're heating up your gravy and voilà! The wine should evaporate in just a couple of minutes.

What is the formula for gravy? ›

Tip: The important thing to know when making a roux gravy is the ratio of flour to fat to liquid. The ratio I use is: 1.5 tablespoons fat to 1.5 tablespoons flour to 1 cup liquid, which yields 1 cup of gravy.

What can you add to gravy to make it darker? ›

the traditional method for darkening broth, stock, gravy, and bouillon was to use burnt sugar. Just a little bit will do, depending on how large of a batch you are making. Heat sugar and 1 Tablespoon water over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.

Why isn't my gravy brown? ›

The color of the finished roux will determine the color of the gravy. To make a roux, cook the flour in oil, butter or pan drippings. Heat the roux long enough for the color to deepen a little darker than the desired color of the gravy. Darker roux produces a deeper, richer flavor.

What can I use for gravy browning? ›

Two popular brands are Kitchen Bouquet and Gravy Master. If you can't locate browning sauce, you can make your own at home (more on how to do that in a minute!). You can also substitute store-bought gravy powder, make a dark roux or substitute other dark-colored liquids like Worcestershire, molasses or soy sauce.

How do you brighten beef gravy? ›

Add a Splash of Wine. A couple of tablespoons of dry white wine brightens up lighter poultry gravy, while red wine adds complexity to beef and pork gravy.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Neely Ledner

Last Updated:

Views: 6027

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Neely Ledner

Birthday: 1998-06-09

Address: 443 Barrows Terrace, New Jodyberg, CO 57462-5329

Phone: +2433516856029

Job: Central Legal Facilitator

Hobby: Backpacking, Jogging, Magic, Driving, Macrame, Embroidery, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Neely Ledner, I am a bright, determined, beautiful, adventurous, adventurous, spotless, calm person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.